Description and Brand Names

US Brand Name

Descriptions

Pyrantel belongs to the family of medicines called anthelmintics. Anthelmintics are used in the treatment of worm infections.

Pyrantel is used to treat pinworms (enterobiasis; oxyuriasis).

This medicine may also be used for other worm infections as determined by your doctor.

Pyrantel works by paralyzing the worms. They are then passed in the stool.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, pyrantel is used in certain patients with the following medical condition:

Common roundworm infection

Hookworm infection

More than one worm infection at a time

For patients taking this medicine for hookworm infection :

Anemia (iron-poor blood) may occur in patients with hookworm infections. Therefore, your doctor may want you to take iron supplements to help clear up the anemia. If so, it is important to take iron every day while you are being treated for hookworms. Do not miss any doses. Your doctor may also want you to keep taking iron supplements for up to 6 months after you stop taking pyrantel. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.